Many people assume that hackers make their money only by stealing information or taking advantage of unsuspecting victims, but actually, they can do a lot more than that. In fact, hackers can earn money in a variety of ways, many of which are quite legitimate.
Bug Bounty Programs: Many companies offer “Bug Bounty Programs” where they pay hackers to find vulnerabilities in their systems. The amount of money paid to hackers depends on the severity of the bug found. 2. Penetration Testing: Companies hire hackers to test their systems and find vulnerabilities.
Can I earn money through ethical hacking? Yes, ethical hacking is a good career choice with a high demand for skilled professionals. Ethical hackers can earn money through a variety of methods, including working as employees for organizations, consulting for businesses, or working as freelance ethical hackers.
According to surveys, ethical hackers receive the highest paycheck at companies in San Francisco (around $150,000) and the lowest pay by companies in Minneapolis (around $97,000). On the other hand, the average salary for a CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) in the US is around $90,000 per annum.
White Hat Hacking: The "Good Guys." White hat hackers, also called ethical hackers, are frequently employed as security experts by businesses or governments. They only hack systems with authorization and good intentions to report vulnerabilities so they may be corrected.
Crypto Mining
To gain more computing power, hackers infect other computers with malware and use them to mine Bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies without the users' permission. This is known as cryptojacking; it allows hackers to earn money by mining cryptocurrencies on other people's machines.
The hacker-powered bug bounty platform
HackerOne announced on August 29 that six hackers signed up to the bug bounty platform have earned more than $1 million each.
Many ethical hackers begin their careers by earning a degree in computer science. While some positions accept candidates with an associate degree, others require a bachelor's degree in a computer science or IT field. These programs can help you learn basic networking and programming skills.
Ethical hacking can be very risky due to several reasons. Here are some of the main reasons: 1. Legal risks: Ethical hacking involves gaining unauthorised access to systems or networks with the intention of finding vulnerabilities and weaknesses.
Ethical hacking is not hard, but it is a highly technical job. We must be an expert in Operating systems, computer networking, and any programming language. Furthermore, we should be able to think like a malicious hacker whose code we wish to crack. It can be simple to understand hacking.
The exercise may also employ a blue team, whose job it is to protect the network and block the red team from achieving its goal. Cybersecurity professionals pursuing a career as an ethical hacker typically describe it as challenging but also rewarding and fun.
For example, a hacker can be charged with a crime if they lack consent or any lawful authorization to enter another's computer system. They may have such authorization from a law enforcement agency and/or a court order.
Tracking hackers down is laborious and often takes a lot of time, collaboration, and investigative research. Specialist cybercrime units need to be assembled in order to retrieve and analyse any potential evidence. Encrypted files will need to be decrypted, deleted files recovered and passwords cracked.
A solid majority of ethical hackers enjoy their work environment, probably contributing to overall higher satisfaction with working as an ethical hacker.
How long it takes to learn hacking depends on the individual and their ability to learn programming and other related skills. It can take anywhere between 18 months to six years to fully develop your ethical hacking skills. If you are starting with no relevant hacking or coding skills, it will likely take you longer.
The typical ethical hacker salary in India is ₹51,230 per month, according to Glassdoor [1]. Pay scale, which lists an annual salary for certified ethical hackers in India, puts the average at ₹517,569 per year [2].
The US State Department on Tuesday offered a $10 million reward for information leading to the arrest or conviction of a Russian man accused of a 2021 ransomware attack on the Washington, DC, Police Department that led to the leak of sensitive police files.
Scam #2: Hacked profiles with requests for money
This can happen when a scammer steals a username and password through a data breach, phishing, or malware. Scammers use the hacked profile to contact the person's friends and family and ask for money or to promote a link to a fraudulent site they own.
Ethical hacking requires a strong technical knowledge of computer systems, networks, and best security practices. To obtain the necessary skills and knowledge, a person must pursue formal education, such as a degree in computer science, or pursue a specialized certification in ethical hacking.
Certified ethical hackers are in high demand as more firms require Certified Security specialists to join their ranks.